Strip separating mechanism



Feb. 17, 1942. R. P. WILLARD STRIP SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed July 19,1940 firm/1e 712%1; Robert P Willard,- MLM 'Patented Feb. 17, 1942 STRIPSEPARATING MECHANISM Robert P. Willard, Lewiston, N. Y., assignor toGilman Fanfold Corporation, Niagara Falls, N. Y., a corporation ofDelaware Application July 19, 1940, Serial No. 346,408

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanism for separating ordecollating strips, such as paper and the like that have been assembledin superposed relation with each other. While the improvements may beutilized for separating strips of various natures from the assemblies,they have been devised with particular reference to separation of recordand transfer or carbon strips of the long continuous traveler type thathave been assembled in manifolding transfer relation, with the carbonstrips interleaved with the record strips.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an apparatus of theclass mentioned, while being simple in structure and occupying littlespace, is effective in separating the record and carbon strips from theassembled relation with each other, and for disposing the individualstrips in separate and independent parts or packs.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of the classmentioned that can be satisfactorily utilized for separating the recordand carbon strips as they emerge in assembled relation from writingmachines of various types, such, for example, as typewriters, tabulatingmachines, billing machines, autographic registers and the like. Theimproved apparatus can also be employed satisfactorily to separate therecord and transfer strips from assemblies of the same independently ofany writing machine.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class mentionedhaving an improved arrangement of gravity chutes for receiving theindividual strips and through which the strips pass under the influenceof gravity and are disposed or refolded in separate packs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of theclass mentioned an improved arrangement of gravity chutes withaccompanying strip guides and strip receiving compartments wherebycompactness and simplicity of structure are attained, and the stripssatisfactorily separated from each other or decollated and disposed inseparate parts or packs.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative but preferredembodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious as thedisclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete disclosure of the nature, objects and advantages ofthe invention reference is had to the following detailed disclosure ofthe illustrative embodiment and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic side elevation of the improved stripseparating mechanism used in connection with a tabulating machine ofknown construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional View of themechanism, taken substantially centrally thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detailed horizontal sectional View showing the manner ofmounting the chute partitions in the supporting panels therefor; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional and elevational view showing detailsof the structure.

Referring to the drawing for a complete description of the embodiment ofthe invention there shown the improved strip separating apparatusindicated generally at 6 is shown as used in connection with atabulating machine 1 of known construction and having a rotarycylindrical platen 8 upon which the assembly 9 of record and transferstrips is received for inscription reception. The tabulating machine isequipped with type bars or similar devices adapted to contact with theassembly of record and carbon strips on the platen 8 to make theinscriptions or printed impressions thereon,the impressions beingtransferred to the underlying or copy record strips by means of theinterleaved carbon or transfer strips.

The assembly 9 of record and transfer strips shown in the illustrativeembodiment is of the long continuous traveler type, such, for example,as disclosed in the Mabon Patent 2,171,003 for Strip feeding andaligning mechanism, issued August 29, 1939. While the assembly mayinclude any desired number of record strips and carbon stripsinterleaved in transfer relation therewith the assembly, as shown,includes three long continuous record strips l0 and two long continuouscarbon strips Il folded together in a zigzag supply pack I2.

Attached to the tabulator is a strip assembly guide I3 for guiding thestrips to the platen 8, and a strip feeding mechanism I4 arranged forpulling the strip assembly 9 over the platen for effecting line spacing.This strip feeding mechanism is diagrammatically shown and is preferablyof the pin type, such as disclosed in the Mabon patent above referred toand it is deemed unnecessary, therefore, to describe it in detail here.A strip guide plate I5 projects in an upwardly inclined position beyondthe feeding mechanism Ill and may be supported in any desired manner.

The strip separating unit 6 is preferably structurally independent ofthe writing machine, as shown, embodying a frame work having uprightframe members I6 forming pedestals upon which the apparatus may restupon the floor. Longitudinal and transverse frame members il areconnected to the upright frame members I6, thus forming a frame that islight and suiiiciently rigid to support the mechanism. The frame membersmay, as shown, be constructed of light metallic flanged members.

Extending above the frame members It and I'I are supporting side panelsI8 for the partitions or chute plates I9 forming the gravity chutes 2U.These supporting side panels I8 are connected to the frame members I'Iin any desired manner and the main body parts I8 extend above the topframe members Il. There are preferably two side panels I8, one at eachof the opposite sides of the separating apparatus, and as shown eachpanel may be extended downwardly below the upper frame members I1 toform downwardly projecting stepped extensions Ita and Iflb supportingthe lower portions of the chute plates I9. As best shown in Figures 3and 4, the supporting side panels I 8 which are preferably of wood areformed with vertical grooves 2i for receiving in supporting relation theedges of the chute plates I9. Some of these grooves 2I extend downwardlyover the panel extensions I8@ and It?) for supporting the rearward chuteplates which are longer than those positioned forwardly. The chuteplates IS may be additionally supported in any appropriate manner.Supporting tie rods or bars 22 extend transversely between thesupporting panels I8 and anchored therein. These supporting bars 22 arepositioned adjacent to the entrance passageways to the gravity chutesand are preferably rounded to function as guides for the enteringstrips.

Strips guides, preferably in the form of guide rollers 23, are mountedadjacent to and just above the entrance passageways to the gravitychutes 2@ for guiding the strips through the guide plate i5 into thechutes. Each of these rollers is mounted upon supporting arms 24! thatare adjustably mounted by means of bolt and slot connections 25 providedwith wing nuts for tightening and attaching them in position to thesupporting panels I6.

Each of the gravity chutes 2i) is of considerable vertical extent sothat the weight of the strips in the chutes causes the strips to movedownwardly by gravity. Each of the chutes in which a record strip Ill isreceived has positioned adjacent to its lower extremity a receivingcompartment 2% for receiving and housing the record strips. One of thechute plates is deflected forwardly above each of the receivingcompartments 26 to provide a tcp wall 2l for the correspondingcompartment. The top walls 2'I are forwardly and downwardly inclined andcommunicate with the chutes in which the carbon strips II are receivedso as to form guides for deecting the carbon strips to one side of thereceiving compartments 26.

Also, a strip deflector plate 28 is provided adjacent to the upperportion of each of the receiving compartments 26 and near to the exitpassageway or the point where the record strips emerge from the chutesinto the receiving compartments. As shown, the defiector plates 28 maybe integral parts of the chute plates I9. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, thedeflector plates 23 may be free at the lower edges so they can beadjusted or swung into different operative positions by bending thepartitions which may be of sheet metal. These deiiector plates 23function to deflect the downwardly moving strips to aid in causing themto be folded into zigzag condition in the receiving packs 2S housedwithin the receiving compartments and supported upon the bottoms 3i) ofthe compartments. The front walls 3I of the two lower compartments 26 ineffect define the inner walls of the gravity chutes for the carbonstrips Il which pass downwardly by the receiving compartments and arereceived in a group or pile at the lower part of the apparatus at whichan appropriate receptacle may be provided for receiving them. Since theused carbon strips are ordinarily discarded it is unnecessary to foldthem in a compact assembly.

It will be noted that the receiving compartments 2-6 are arranged insuperposed relation, one above another, in a single column, thusconserving space and at the same time providing suicient longitudinalextent of the gravity chutes so that the strips can pass satisfactorilyinto the chutes by gravity action and be refolded zigzag in thereceiving compartments.

A supporting shelf 33 is formed at the upper part of the apparatus atone side of the upper parts of the chutes for receiving the zigzagfolded supply pack I2 of record and transfer strips. At the rear of thissupport is a guide plate 3d for guiding the strip assembly into a chuteor passageway 35, the lower' end of which has an exit opening lying nearto the adjacent end of the strip guide I3. It is very convenient,therefore, for threading the strip assembly from the supply pack I2through the supply chute 35 into writing position over the platen 8 andthence through the strip feed mechanism ifi to the upwardly inclinedguide plate I5.

When the strip assembly has been threaded into operative position on thetabulator, as described, the upper ends of the strips are separated andpassed over the guide rollers 23 and into the appropriate gravity chutes2t. As the writing progresses the strips are fed forwardly by thefeeding mechanism passing upwardly for a short distance over theupwardly inclined guide I5 and then downwardly by gravity in therespective chutes. rIhe lower portions of the record strips i9 arereceived within the appropriate receiving compartments 25 and are causedto be refolded in zigzag condition in the packs 29 by the action ofgravity and cooperation of the deector plates 28 and the walls of theadjacent portions of the chutes. When a record strip I0 is being foldedat the inner or back end of the pack 29 the strip is in engagement withthe deector plate 28, and when it is being folded at the opposite end ofthe pack 29 it is in engagement with the opposite wall of the chuteadjacent to the upper portion of the compartment where the wall isrounded to function as a strip guide. In this manner each strip iseffectively reiolded into its pack 29, the refolding being accomplishedon the same fold lines as those on which the strips were ordinarilyfolded in the supply pack I2.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, dividing partitions between therespective adjacent chutes, receiving compartments with which the lowerends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receivethe strips from the chutes, and strip folding means for causing certainof the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receivingcompartments, certain of said receiving compartments having upper wallsforming strip guides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as toguide the strips laterally and downwardly past said receivingcompartments.

2. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, dividing partitions between therespective adjacent chutes, receiving compartments with which the lowerends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receivethe strips from the chutes, and strip folding means for causing certainof the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receivingcompartments, said strip folding means including strip delector platesadjacent to the respective receiving compartments and inclining inwardlywith reference to the bodies of the compartments.

3. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, dividing partitions between therespective adjacent chutes, receiving compartments with which the lowerends of certain said chutes respectively communicate so as to receivethe strips from the chutes, and strip folding means for causing certainof the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in the respective receivingcompartments, said strip folding means including strip deflector platesadjacent to the respective receiving compartments and inclining inwardlywith reference to the bodies of the compartments, certain of saidreceiving compartments having upper walls forming strip guides to whichcertain other of said chutes lead so as to guide the strips laterallyand downwardly past said receiving compartments.

4. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments withwhich the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate soas to receive the strips from the chutes, strip folding means forcausing certain of the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in therespective receiving compartments, and a plurality of independentlyadjustable strip guides adjacent to the chute entrance passageways forguiding the strips to the latter.

5. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments withwhich the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate soas to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartmentsbeing arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column, andstrip deilector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartmentsand adjacent to the points of communication of the chutes therewith,said deflector plates being inclined to the general courses of therespective chutes and positioned for engagement with certain of saidstrips to cause them to be folded in the respective compartments.

6. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly .by gravity, receiving compartments withwhich the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate soas to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartmentsbeing arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column,strip deector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartmentscausing certain of the strips to be folded in the respectivecompartments, and a plurality of independently adjustable strip guidesadjacent to the chute entrance passageways for guiding the strips to thelatter.

7. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments withwhich the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate soas to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartmentsbeing arranged in relatively superposed relation in a single column,strip deiiector plates adjacent to the respective receiving compartmentscausing certain of the strips to be folded in the respectivecompartments, certain of said receiving compartments having upper wallsforming strip guides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as toguide some of the strips laterally and downwardly past said receivingcompartments, and a plurality of independently adjustable strip guidesadjacent to the chute entrance passageways for guiding the strips to thelatter.

8. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes of varying length in upright position, side by side, inwhich strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receivingcompartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutesrespectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes,said receiving compartments being arranged in relatively superposedrelation in a single column, and strip deflector plates adjacent to therespective receiving compartments causing certain of the strips to befolded in the respective compartments, certain of said receivingcompartments having upper walls forming strip guides to which certainother of said chutes lead so as to guide some of the strips laterallyand downwardly past said receiving compartments.

9. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments withwhich the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate soas to receive the strips from the chutes, strip folding means forcausing certain of the strips to be folded in zigzag packs in therespective receiving compartments, a support for a supply pack of stripspositioned at one side of the ends of said chutes, and a strip assemblyguiding passageway adjacent to said chutes for guiding the stripassembly to a Writing machine.

10. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes in upright position, side by side, in which strips froman assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receiving compartments withwhich the lower ends of certain said chutes respectively communicate soas to receive the strips from the chutes, said receiving compartmentsbeing arranged in superposed relation in a single column, strip deectorplates adjacent to the respective receiving conipartments causingcertain of the strips to be folded in the respective compartments,certain of said receiving compartments having upper walls forming stripguides to which certain other of said chutes lead so as to guide thestrips laterally and downwardly past said receiving com- I partrnents, asupport for a supply pack of strips positioned at one side of the endsof said chutes,

and a strip assembly guiding passageway adjacent to said chutes forguiding the strip assembly to a writing machine.

11. In a strip separating apparatus, in combination, a plurality ofgravity chutes of varying length -in upright position, side by side, inwhich strips from an assembly pass downwardly by gravity, receivingcompartments with which the lower ends of certain said chutesrespectively communicate so as to receive the strips from the chutes,said receiving compartments being arranged in relatively superposedrelation in a single column, adjustable strip deector plates adjacent tothe respective receiving compartments causing certain of the strips tobe folded in the respective compartments, a support for a supply pack ofstrips positioned at one side of the ends of said chutes, and a stripassembly guiding passageway adjacent to said chutes for guiding thestrip assembly to a writing machine.

ROBERT P. WLLARD.

